2 suspects wore
police T-shirtsHPD files an affidavit for assault
charges in a betting parlor melee
Two men wearing dark blue T-shirts with "HPD" and "POLICE" emblazoned on the front and back are suspected of ransacking an illegal gambling operation and severely beating two security guards last month, according to a police affidavit.
Police charged Solomona Nakagawa, 29, of Waipahu, and Robert Holi Kaialau, III, 33, of Nanakuli, with multiple counts of assault.
Nakagawa made an initial appearance in Honolulu District Court yesterday on four counts of second-degree assault.
He remains in custody at Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Monday.
Kaialau posted $75,000 bail after he was charged with three counts of second-degree assault. His initial court appearance is scheduled for next week.
The T-shirts they wore resembled those worn by Honolulu police officers performing special operations such as executing search warrants or raids. Police said the "HPD" and "POLICE" design on official T-shirts is copyrighted and authorized only for use by Honolulu police.
Police said Nakagawa and Kaialau showed up at the gambling house at 1334 Young St. July 30 and used aluminum baseball bats, chairs and sticks to beat two men hired as security guards for the operation. One also suffered eight stab wounds.
About 20 other men then joined the pair in ransacking the game room in what police said is a turf war over providing security for illegal gambling operations, according to the affidavit.
Nakagawa also wore a ski mask during the assault, according to the affidavit.
Kaialau has been head riflery coach at Kapolei High School for the past three years, said Elden Esmeralda, school athletic director.
Neither suspect could be reached for comment.
